Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former captain of the Indian cricket team, has been appointed as Jharkhand’s brand ambassador for the upcoming assembly elections, according to Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar.
Dhoni has granted the Election Commission permission to use his image in campaign materials aimed at encouraging voter participation.
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“Mahendra Singh Dhoni has given his consent to the Election Commission to use his photo. We are in touch with him for other details. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will work for the mobilisation of voters…” Kumar said during a Friday press conference in Ranchi.
Dhoni’s involvement is expected to bolster voter awareness under the SWEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) program, with the commission aiming to leverage his popularity to boost turnout.
The elections will begin with 43 constituencies going to the polls on November 13. Filing of nominations concluded Friday, with former Chief Minister Champai Soren submitting his nomination as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Saraikela. Soren criticised the Congress and its allies, asserting they have minimal influence in the state.
Sudesh Mahto, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) president and former deputy chief minister, also filed his nomination Friday from the Silli constituency. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) released a list of 35 candidates on October 23.
The BJP, in alliance with AJSU, Janata Dal (United), and the Lok Janshakti Party, announced its own list of 66 candidates on October 19. The party will contest 68 seats, with AJSU contesting 10 seats, JD-U two, and LJP one.
Elections for Jharkhand’s 81 assembly seats will be held in two phases, on November 13 and November 20. The results are scheduled to be announced on November 23.